Survey finds teens changing their post-graduation plans

About half of all graduating seniors this spring are reevaluating their futures as a result of the coronavirus crisis.

According to a national survey by Junior Achievement and Project Management Institute Educational Foundation, 49% of graduating seniors say their plans for after high school have changed.

Of those whose plans have changed, more than a third say they will now work, nearly as many expect to delay their start date for college and almost a fifth changed the career path they wish to pursue.

Jack Kosakowski, president of Junior Achievement, said he’s not surprised the Class of 2020 has been reconsidering its plans in light of the global pandemic. But what has been surprising is the type of decisions being made now without a clear idea of what the coming weeks and months will bring.

“That’s why it’s imperative we get as much information as possible to teens to help them navigate these uncertain times,” he said in a press release.

Of the high school seniors polled, 40% say the pandemic has affected their plans to pay for college. The survey of 1,000 members of the class of 2020 was conducted May 21-29 by Wakefield Research for the two nonprofit organizations.

Additionally, more than a third who are planning to attend college now say they are less excited to go. Of those planning to attend college, their biggest concerns are the impact of the highly-contagious disease on academic quality, dorm life, school-sponsored events and dining halls.